Our Policies

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PRIVATE LESSON STUDIO POLICIES 2024-2025

Monthly Tuition

1. Tuition Basis: Tuition is based on 48 lessons per year, not the full 52 weeks of a calendar year. Each “lesson day” (e.g., Mondays, Tuesdays, etc.) will be scheduled for 4 days off per year when the store will be closed. These days are pre-calculated into your tuition. Refer to our calendar for closure dates; no makeup classes or credits are offered for these predetermined dates.
2. Credit Card on File: MECA requires that our customers keep a credit card on file to hold your timeslot regardless of whether or not you choose to enroll in automatic payment.
3. Due Date: Tuition is due by the first lesson of each month. If you enroll in autopay, payment will be automatically withdrawn on the 1st of each month.
4. Refund Policy: No refunds will be given after tuition has been paid, regardless of the student’s attendance. To withdraw for any given month, notify front desk staff before the start of that month. Notifying your teacher does not count as a withdrawal. You MUST confirm with the front desk.
5. Late Payment: If tuition is not paid by the 15th of the month, a $20 late fee will be charged. If tuition remains unpaid for more than one month, MECA reserves the right to charge the outstanding amount to any credit card on file.

Cancellations, Make-Up Lessons, and Absences

1. Inclement Weather or Unexpected Closures: Your teacher may offer virtual or make-up lessons. These lessons must be taken or they will be forfeited. Depending on the circumstances of the closure, MECA may choose to issue credits for missed lessons.
2. Teacher Unavailability:
3. If MECA provides a substitute teacher, the lesson must be taken with the substitute or the lesson will be forfeited. You may or may not be notified in advance of a substitute.
4. If MECA does not provide a substitute teacher, your teacher will offer a make-up lesson or MECA will give a credit towards next month’s tuition.
5. Make-up lessons may be offered as virtual classes due to teacher availability and limited studio space. These lessons must be taken or they will be forfeited.
6. Student Unavailability:
7. MECA, as a business, has a NO MAKE-UP POLICY for student absences. However, individual teachers will establish their own guidelines and make-up lesson policies at their discretion.
8. Regardless of teacher-provided policies, we will not make up, refund, or credit lesson tuition for classes that are canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice.
9. For cancellations due to prior commitments or illness, please refer to your teacher’s personal cancellation policy. Depending on that policy, you may be asked to email or text your teacher. Alternatively, you can call, email, or leave a voice message at (847) 741-3324 or info@musiceducationplay.com to reach front desk staff.
10. For serious illness or emergencies, please speak with our front desk staff for lesson options.
11. For vacations of 2 weeks or more, please inform your teacher or the store at least 2 weeks in advance. To hold your lesson time slot during your vacation, billing will continue. If you choose not to be billed, your lesson time slot will not be held. Contact the office upon your return to schedule a new lesson time.

Summary

At MECA, payment for lessons is made upfront at the beginning of the month to reserve your timeslot with a teacher (or another teacher of equal or greater expertise in the case of a substitute). This payment is non-refundable and commits you to that timeslot, regardless of attendance. Lessons missed by the student are not automatically eligible for make-ups, refunds, or credits, and are subject to each teacher’s individual policy. This policy ensures the integrity of our scheduling, consistent and quality instruction, as well as respect for the time of our teachers and fair compensation.